Worm-drive mixing machine



March 13, 1928.

PL A. KOEHRING WORM DRIVE MIXING MACHINE Original Filed April 5, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 W ZWJJ:

March 13, 1928. 1,662,274

P. A. KOEHRING WORM DRIVE MIXING MACHINE Original Filed April 5, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ivi I 1.

P. A. KOEHRING WORM DRIVE MIXING MACHINE Original Filed April 5.

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March 13, 1928.

March 13, 1928.

Original Filed April 5, 1924 P. A. KOEHRING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 a7 Zf A o 1 v Wzzne jazzy/z mm Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE.

PHILIP A. KOEHRING, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO KOEHRING COM- PANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION.

WORM-DRIVE MIXING MACHINE.

Application filed April 5, 1924, Serial No. 704,454. Renewed January 27, 1928.

The purpose of this invention is to simplify the construction and operation of concrete. mixing machines of the portable type, and to furthermore simplify the control mechanism for the same.

The invention involves primarily a novel type of a driving mechanism for a rotating mixing drum, said driving mechanism 111- eluding worm and worm gear operating features, and an advantageous arrangement of driving gears actuated by said features:

and directly engaging the gear rings on. the drum of the mixer.

A further novel feature of the invention includes the arrangement of the driving means for the mixing drum whereby a shaft made in sections flexibly coupled together, constitutes a driving connection between the engine and the drum. One section of the shaft is the engine shaft itself and the other section carries the worm which drives the worm gearing, and the employment of clutches may be dispensed with so far as operatively connecting the engine with the drum is concerned.

The invention involves a simplified arrangement of control clutch mechanism for transmitting motion from the driving shaft of the drum to the hoisting skip or hopper such as ordinarily used in what is known as a side loader mixing machine.

The invention also involves a simplified frame construction for concrete whereby I use pressed metal parts, such as channels, flanged plates, angle iron sections, etc. for the purpose of building up the frame, all conducive to a very considerable economy of costfrom a commercial and manufacturing point.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

F 1 is a side elevation of a concrete mixer embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken at a point about between the engine and the drive gearing and loading skip elevating devices.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the worm gear casin and worm with the flexible coupling driving connection and enclosed parts.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken thru the transverse driven shaft showing the gear and clutch and brake mecha nism features.

mixers Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the spring of flexible coupling.

Fig. 6 is a detailed longitudinal sectional view showing a modified form of connection means between the engine drivin shafts parts, involving a combined flexi le connecting device and clutch.

Fig. 7 is a reduced view showing more clearly how the tongue or draw bar when adjusted to a vertical position may act as a brace for the body of the mixer to rigidly support the same upon the running gear.

Fig. 8 is a detailed view showing more clearly the manner of cooperation of the frame engaging screws which are carried by the tongue or draft bar.

In the carrying out of my invention I utilize a main frame comprised of spaced channels 1 connected by cross pieces consisting of channels 2, located at intervals between and at the ends of the sides or channels 1. Rigidly attached to opposite sides of the frame and directly to the channels 1, intermediate the ends thereof, are the downwardly extending axle arms or brackets 3 equipped with suitable bearings to receive the rear axle 4 on which are mounted the supporting wheels 5. The members 3 are preferably made of pressed metal formed with suitable edge flanging by which to give strength and rigidity to the whole bracket structure.

At the front end of the frame lis provided a front axle 6 having the wheels 7 and this axle is connected by a vertical king bolt with the front cross member of the frame to permit of turning movement of the axle in the well known manner, a horizontal bolt or pivot shown in dotted lines at 8 in Fig. 1 connecting the lower member 9 of the fifth wheel parts directly with the axle so that there is practicall provided between the front wheels and t e frame of the machine a single-point suspension. The whole frame, therefore, is supported on its two axles by what may be characterized as a three-point suspension principle of construction.

Projecting upwardly from the main frame of the machine are the front and rear U shaped frame members 10 and 11, respectively, these being made out of bent angle iron and so disposed that the converge toward one side of said main tame, as seen best in Fig. 1. Suitable arms 12 project up- 1 wind.

wardly from the frame members 10 and 11 and support a hoisting shaft 13 on which are carried the tapered end sheaves 14 about which the ends of a cable 15 are adapted to The cable 15 is connected intermediate its ends as shown at 16, with a skip 17, which may be of a construction well known in the art.

On the shaft 13 is also carried the cable drum 18 designed for turning the shaft 13 under the influence of an operating cable 19 which passes downwardly from the drum 18 to a hoisting drum 20 mounted on a transverse driven shaft 21.

The mixing drum 22 is mounted between the frame members 10 and 11 projecting up from the main frames sides 1 and it is equipped with any suitable type of discharge chute 23.

For the operation of the mixing drum 22, as well as the hoisting drum 20, I provide on the rear end of the machine a suitable engine 24 preferably of the explosive type, and the engine driving shaft 25 of said engine is made in two parts, one designated 25 and the other 25, see Fig. 3. The parts of the said engine shaft are connected together by a flexible coupling 26, shown best in Fig. 3, as comprising a coiled spring, the ends of which are interlocked with coupling elements or socket members 27 on the respective shaft parts 25 and 25. At its rear end the shaft 25 is preferably equipped with an extension to which may be ap lied a crank handle 28 for turning the sha t for starting the motor 24. The shaft part 25 extends into a worm gear housing which comprises the lower section 29 and the upper section 30, the latter having extensions affording bearings for and assisting to house the shaft 21.

On the shaft part 25 is keyed the worm 31, and the latter is engaged with a worm gear 32 which is housed within the upper section 30 of said worm gear housing. There will preferably be provided suitable Timken bearings, or the like, intermediate the worm 31 and the bearing portions of the housing section 29, and the end of the housing section adjacent to the coupling 26 is packed at the opening through which the shaft part 25 passes, by a washer 33 and a spring closure plate 34.

The worm gear 32 is carried by the trans-- verse driven shaft 21 previously referred to as carrying the drum 20, and is keyed thereto to turn said shaft when the shaft comprising the parts 25 and 25 is driven.

The shaft 21 carries a pair of drum driving' gears 35, the latter meshing with gear rings 36 which are suitably applied to the peripheral central portion of the mixing drum 22, this mixing drum 22 furthermore may be indicated as being made of a pressed metal central section and pressed metal end heads. The drum driving gears 35 are keyed to the shaft 21 to turn therewith, so that whenever the driving shaft 2525 is in operation the transverse driven shaft 21 is likewise operated and turns the drum 22 through the engagement of the gears 35 and 36.

As seen in Fig. 4, there is mounted on one of the gears 35 a sleeve extension 35, which carries the hoisting drum 20 adapted to operate loosely thereon. The gear 35 is attached to the shaft 21 by the sleeve 35' having a keyed connection with said shaft as indicated at 36. The drum 20 about which the cable 19 is adapted to wind, is equipped with a clutch and brake element 37, largely comprising an end or head of the drum somewhat enlarged and formed with a lateral flange 38, which is comprised in said element 37. About the flange 38 a brake band 39 operates, as seen best in Figs. 1 and 4, one end of said brake band being affixed to a side 1 of the frame at 40 and the other end of the brake band being attached to the bell crank lever 41 at 42. The arm of the bell crank lever 41, opposite that connected to the brake band, is engaged by an off-standing arm 43 of control lever 44, which control lever constitutes a combined brake and clutch operating{ devicep The lever 44-is equipped with a yo e member 45, engaging a clutch shifting sleeve 46 on the shaft 21, said sleeve 46 having toggle connections 47 with multiple disc clutch parts 48, whereby the lever 44 is enabled to be operated as follows: By forcing the lever 44 toward the clutch and brake element 37, the clutch devices 48 are rendered operative to connect the drum 20 with the shaft 21 and sleeve extension 35. On such movement of the lever 44, to effect application of the clutch devices for operating the hoisting drum 20 to raise the skip 17, it will be evident that the arm 43 of the lever lowered, and this action rocks the bell crank lever 41 to release the brake band 39. On pulling the lever 44 outwards or in the direction opposite that just above described, a reverse action of the parts will result as obvious. In other words, the clutch means are released and the brake band 39 is applied to the flange 38.

The above operation is performed after the skip 17 has been raised bythe application of the clutch means, and it is desired to disconnect the drum 20 from the shaft 21 to lower the skip. When so disconnected, the lowering movement of the skip is controlled, of course, by the brake 39, which is actuated to gradually permit the skip 17 to move downwardly until it rests upon the ground.

In order to hold the lever 44 in either of its positions of clutch application or brake application, a coiled spring 49 is attached at its lower end to a bracket 50 project ing downwardly from the side,11of the main frame of the machine, see Fig. 1,

and the upper end ofsaid spring is at-' tached .to a curved link 51 which passes around the adjacent channel or side 1 of the frame, to a point of connection at its upper end at 52, with the lever 44. The point of connection of the'spriaig 49, thelink 51 and lever 44, and also the point of pivotal support 53 of said lever 44, are almost in alinement. However, by shifting the lever laterally, the point of connection 52 may be carried to one side or other of a vertical plane intersecting the supporting pivot 53 of the lever, and it is owing to this method of connection of the spring 49 with the'lever 44 at the point 52, through the medium of the link 51, that the spring 49 has its dual function of holding the lever 44 in a position of brake application or clutch application.

The pivot support 53 of\ the lever 44 is mounted on a bracket 54 attached to the adjacentside channel 1, see Fig. 4. It is notable also that the clutch sleeve 46 is freely movable on the shaft 21 and atoggle connecting sleeve 55 forming a part of the clutch is screwed upon the extreme outer end of the extension 35 projecting from the gear 35. v

The worm gear 32 is mounted at a point about central between the ears 35 so as to preferably ntralize the riving effects transmitted to the drum through the turning of the gears 35 engaging the gear ring It is believed that the operation of the various parts, effecting as they do the operation of the mixer and skip hoisting contrivances in the well-known manner, will be clear from the foregoing description. It is notable, however, that I provide a horizontal clutch knock-out lever 56, seen best in Fig. 1 as carried by the U-shaped frame member 11, arranged so that one end will be struck by the skip 17 when the latter is raised to its uppermostposition. L This will rock the lever 56, and as its other end is connected to the clutch and brake control lever 44, the clutch means 48 will be released automatically when the skip is raised to its uppermost posit-ion.

It Wlll be evident from the foregoing that my mixer construction is very considerably simplified over construction of current manufacture, and there is thus obtained the cheapening of the cost of manufacturing my machine, which is of practical advantage in the a At the front end of the machine I show a tongue 59 which .tongue is secured'to the front axle and in my drawing is illustrated in an upright position, bein so held by means of an adjusting and loc ing 'screw 60 carried by the tongue and adapted to engage the front extremity of the frame. This tongue is preferably made of a sort of V-shaped bar of angular form in cross section.

For operating my control lever 44 from the side of the machine opposite said lever, I use a lever 61 adapted to rock a shaft 62, the latter having an arm 63 connected by a link 64 to an outward extending lever 65, attached to the knock-out lever'56, to operate the lever 44 through said lever 56.

I have illustrated in Fig. 6 a different form of flexible connection between the parts 25 and 25" of the engine driving shaft. In this particular construction I utilize a flexible disc 66 secured/directly to the fly wheel 67 of the engine 24. The disc 66 is mounted to cooperate with a clutch which comprises a sleeve 68 locked to the part 25 of the driving shaft by a set screw 69. The sleeve 68 is formed with an outwardly extending fixed clutch member 70 at. one end and located on the fly wheel side of the flexible disc 66. Opposing the clutch member 70 and arranged at the opposite side of the disc 66 is the movable clutch member 71, adapted to be operated to move against the disc 66 and clamp it with clutch action against the member 70. Movement of the clutch member 71 is compelled for the purpbses of the invention by toggle members 72 mounted on a sleeve 73 which has screw thread connections with the sleeve 68. The toggle members 72 may be operated by a suitable yoke 74 by which the actuating cam sleeve 75 is shifted along the shaft part 25*.whioh it surrounds, said sleeve 75 coacting with the toggle members 72 in the well-known manner.

It will be evident from the foregoing that I am enabled, by using the combined flexible connection and clutch means just described, to operate the engine alone and without operating the mixing drum simultaneously therewith. The starting of the engine therefore may be effected independently of the turning of the mixing drum.

Figs. 7 and 8 show more clearly the manner of cooperation of the tongue or draft bar 59 with the body frame 12 of the machine. The engaging screws 60 which are carried by opposite sides of the draft bar are so arranged that the one on the left hand side of the member 59 engages beneath the side channel 1 at the side of the machine where the loading skip 17 is supported. This affords a bracing connection between the draw bar 59 and that particular side of the machine, which is quite advantageous in view of the fact that considerable load is received on said side.

.It is notable, however, that the engaging of being placed upon one side of said frame in the operation of the machine. The brac ing relation between the draw bar 59 and the body frame of the machine is highly advantageous becau I utilize a pivoted front axle 6 affording: three-point suspension principle in conjunction with the rear axle 5. In other words, as before pointed out, the front end of the frameis pivotally supported intermediate its end upon the axle 6.

As clearly to be seen in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the worm 31 and gear 32 are entirely enclosed, and as the housing section is packed adjacent to the plate 34, in the manner before described, I am enabled to fill the housing 2930 with lubricant in which the gearing 31 may operate. This has not been possible in concrete mixer construction heretofore, so that the machines of this type have been very noisy, and moreover, constant attention to the lubrication of driving gearing has been necessary,'all of .which is avoided by the employment of my construction hereinbefore set forth.

Again, as seen in Figures 1 and 3, by

shaft parts 25 and 25*, are self aligning, practically speaking, permitting of positioning of these parts without fine adjustment, which is of material advantage in facilitating the assemblage thereof, and obtaining excellent operative results in the driving action of the engine on the driving connections that lead therefrom to the'mixing drum.

Figure 4 discloses how' the drum drive gears 35, with the'shaft 21, the housing 2930, the hoisting drum -20, brake drum 38, and associated clutch parts 46, 47 and 48, with the coupling 27, are in a unit assembly demountable and replaceable as such by mere detachment of the bolts that secure; the h'ousing member 29 to the supporting place or frame of the machine. This makes for use of assemblage of the various parts of my machine after a manner not heretofore ob tained.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: X

1. In a mixing machine, a portable supporting frame, a mixing drum mounted thereon for rotation, means for operating said mixing drum comprising a gear ring applied to the drum and an assembly unit including, a driving gear engaging said gear ring, a shaft supporting the driving gear,

a worm gear on said shaft, a driving shaft, a worm on the driving shaft engaging said worm gear, combined with an engine for operating said driving shaft.

2. In a mixing machine, a portable supporting frame, a mixing drum mounted thereon for rotation, means for operating said mixing drum comprising a gear ring applied to the drum and an assembly unit forming the engine shaft of the engine and the other part carrying said worm, and a self aligning coupling between the two parts of the driving shaft.

3. In a mixing machine, a portable supporting frame, a mixing drum mounted thereon for rotation, means for operating said mixing drum comprising a gear ring applied to the drum, and an assembly unit comprising a driving gear engaging said gear ring, a shaft supporting the driving gear, a worm gear on said shaft, a driving shaft, a worm on the driving shaft engaging said worm gear, a lubricant tight housing enclosing the worm and worm gear and having a bearing for supporting the worm,

means to attach the housing to the supporting frame and thereby holding the assembly unit in operative position, the driving shaft being made of two parts, one part forming an engine shaft and the other part carrying said worm, a detachable coupling between the two parts of the driving shaft, the assembly unit including said driving gear having an off-standing sleeve extension attached to this gear and connected to turn with the shaft supporting said gear, a winding drum on said extension, and having a brake and.

clutch element, a brake band cooperating with said brake and clutch element, a clutch dievice coacting with said brake and clutch e ement, and a control member connected with the brake and clutch devices for ating thesame. V

4. In a mixing machine, a portable supoperporting frame, a mixing drum mounted thereon, for rotation, means for operating said mixing drum comprising a gear ring applied to the drum, a driving gear engaing said gear ring, a shaft supporting t e driving gear, a worm gear on said shaft, H5

a driving shaft, a worm on the driving shaft engaging said worm gear, an engine for operating said driving shaft, the driving shaft being made of two parts, one part forming the engine shaft of the engine and the other part carrying said worm, a self aligning coupling between the two parts of the drlving shaft, said driving gear having an off-standing sleeve extension connected to turn with the shaft supporting said gear, a

winding drum on said extension, and having a brake and clutch element, a brake band cooperating with said brake and clutch element, a clutch device coacting with said brake and clutch element, a. control member 001;;

with the brake device, and a spring connect-'- ed with the lever to hold it in a position to render the clutch operative or in a position to render the brake operative.

5. In a mixing machine, a portable supporting frame, a drum mounted thereon for rotation, means for operating said drum, comprising a gear ring applied to the drum, a driving gear engaging said gear ring, a shaft supporting the driving gear, a worm gear on said shaft, 9. driving shaft, a worm on the driving shaft engaging said worm gear, and an engine for operating said driving shaft, the driving shaft comprising two parts, a flexible disc carried by one of said parts to turn therewith, and clutch means to operatively connect, and disconnect, said disc with the other part of the shaft.

(5. In a mixing machine, a portable supporting frame, a drum mounted thereon for rotation, means for operating said drum comprising a gear ring applied to the drum, a driving gear engaging said gear ring, a shaft supporting the driving gear, a worm gear on said shaft, a driving shaft, a worm on the driving shaft engaging saidworm gear, and an engine for operating said driving shaft, the driving shaft comprising two parts, one part carrying a fly wheel, a flexible disc ap lied to said fly wheel, and clutch means appiied to the other part of the shaft for cooperation with said disc.

7. In a mixing machine, a portable supporting frame equipped with traction members, a drum mounted thereon for rotation, an engine mounted on said frame, and a driving connection between said frameand the drum comprising a two-part shaft, drive gearing between one part of said shaft and the drum, and a flexible connection between the two parts of the shaft comprising a" scribed, in combination, a portable supporting frame of fabricated construction com prising drive shaft means, drive gearing, worm mechanism for actuating the drive gearing from the drive shaft means, and a supporting housing for the worm and drive gearing forming a connection between the spaced members of the frame for tying the latter together substantially as shown.

9. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a supporting fram" a mixer, an operating assembly unit therefor comprising a shaft, a worm gear mounted thereon, a driving gear carried by the shaft for actuating the mixer, a skip hoisting, brake and clutch drum on the shaft, with a support for said unit for reinovably attaching the same to the frame, and skip hoisting, brake and clutch means coacting with the said. drum.

10. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a supporting frame, a mixer, an operating assembly unit therefor comprising a shaft, a worm gear mounted thereon, a driving gear carried by the shaft for actuating the mixer, a skip hoisting, brake and clutch drum on the shaft, with a supportfor said unit for removably attaching the same to the frame, and skip hoisting, brain; and clutch means coacting with the saii drum, the said unit support including a hous ing for the worm gear, a worm in said hon ing for driving the worm gear, and a cou pling for connecting the shaft with an engine.

11. In'a machine of the class described, in combination, a supporting frame, a mixer. an operating assembly unit therefor comprising a shaft, a worm gear mounted thereon, a driving gear carried by the shaft for actuating the mixer, a ski hoistingybrake and clutch drum on the shaft, with a support for said unit for removably attaching the same to the frame, and skip hoistin brake and clutch means 'coacting with the said drum, the said unit support including a housing for the worm gear, a worm in said housing for driving the worm gear, and a coupling for connecting the shaft with an engine, the said shaft being parallel with the axis of the mixer, an engine shaft at right angles to the first mentioned shaft and carrying the said worm, and an engine on the frame for driving the said engineshaft, the

housing entirely enclosing the Worm gear 

